📋 Project Overview
The Orbital O2 is the world's most powerful tidal turbine — a 2 MW floating platform that deploys two turbine nacelles on hinged arms, allowing them to be raised above the waterline for maintenance. Unlike seabed-mounted turbines, the O2 can be towed to port for major servicing. It has been operational at EMEC's Fall of Warness site since 2021, and has also powered green hydrogen production via an electrolyser at the Surf n Turf project on Eday.
Site Schematic
Schematic diagram — not to scale. Illustrative layout based on project specifications.
⚡ Key Facts
🔧 Technical Specifications
| Capacity (MW) | 2 MW |
| No. of turbines/units | 2 |
| Turbine / unit model | Orbital Marine O2 — twin 1 MW nacelles on swinging arms |
| Unit capacity | 1 MW each |
| Rotor diameter | 20 m |
| Foundation type | Floating — single point mooring tether to seabed |
| Water depth | 30–40 m |
| Tidal velocity | Up to 4 m/s |
| Annual output | 6 GWh/year |
| Homes powered | 2,000 homes |
🔌 Grid Connection & Infrastructure
| Grid connection point | EMEC grid connection — Orkney distribution network |
🏢 Development & Ownership
| Developer | Orbital Marine Power |
| Owner / operator | Orbital Marine Power |
| Commissioned / target | 2021 |
| Capex estimate | ~£15 million |
| Location | EMEC Fall of Warness test site, Eday, Orkney Islands |
| Region | Scotland |
| Coordinates | 59.14°N, 2.83°W |
📅 Project Timeline
🌿 Environmental & Planning
Floating platforms cause minimal seabed disturbance — only a single mooring anchor. No pile driving required. The platform does not emit underwater noise during operation (water-lubricated bearings). Marine mammal echolocation monitoring shows no avoidance behaviour.